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Green named NL Player of the Week

Green named NL Player of the Week

After a slow start to the year, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Shawn Green came on strong last week, and earned the Bank of America National League Player of the Week award for June 6-13.

Green led the league with 28 total bases and five doubles, and was tied for the lead with 12 hits, nine runs scored and 12 RBIs. He also hit three homers and a triple during the past week.

"No, nothing's changed. The calendar's changed," Green said. "For some reason, it takes me a little while for me to start feeling good at the plate."

Green went 12-for-29 (.414), with a .966 slugging percentage and .406 on-base percentage. He recorded five multi-hit games in the last seven, including one multi-homer game.

"He's getting better balls to hit and getting better swings, and using the whole field," manager Bob Melvin said. "Sometimes, when you're struggling some, you try to pull a little too much, try to be too aggressive. ... Now he's using the whole field and getting himself in better counts, getting a better look at the ball."

On June 10, a 12-11 win over the Royals, Green went 3-for-4 with two homers, five RBIs and three runs scored. He raised his average 20 points over the last week and is hitting .277 this year, with seven homers and 33 RBIs.

Green, a two-time All-Star, and the Diamondbacks went 3-4 last week as they faced two American League Central teams, the Twins and Royals. Arizona is in third place in the NL West, trailing San Diego by 3 1/2 games.

Michael Gluskin is a contributor to MLB.com. Dan Blank contributed to this article. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.